Mehdi Hassan

For other people with similar names, see Mehdi Hasan (disambiguation).
Mehdi Hassan Khan
Birth name Mehdi Hassan Khan
Also known as Khan Sahab
King of Ghazal
Born 18 July 1934
Luna, Rajasthan, British India
Died 13, June 2012 (aged 84)
Karachi, Sindh Pakistan
Genres Classical music, Ghazal, Playback singing
Occupation(s) Singer, composer
Instruments Harmonium, vocals
Years active 1957–1999 (Retired)
Website www.mehdihassan.com

Mehdi Hassan Khan (Urdu: مہدی حسن خان ‎‎; 18 July 1927 – 13 June 2012) was a Pakistani ghazal singer and a former playback singer for Lollywood. One of the greatest and most influential figures in the history of ghazal,[1] he is famously known as the "King of Ghazal" or the "Shahanshah-e-Ghazal". Known for his "haunting" baritone voice,[2] Mehdi is credited with bringing ghazal singing to a wide audience. Born to a musical family, he influenced generations of singers from diverse genres, from Jagjit Singh[3][4] to Sonu Nigam.[5] He earned numerous awards and accolades in his career and remained a leading singer of film industry along with Ahmed Rushdi.

Early life

Mehdi Hassan was born on 18 July 1927 in a village called Luna, Rajasthan in jhunjhunu district in India into a family of traditional musicians. He claims to be the 16th generation of hereditary musicians hailing from the Kalawant clan of musicians. Mehdi Hassan had his musical grooming from his father Ustad Azeem Khan and uncle Ustad Ismail Khan who were both traditional Dhrupad singers. Hassan started to perform at a young age and the first concert of dhrupad and kheyal with his elder brother is reported to have been held in Fazilka Bungla,[6] near present DC House (1935) of Undivided Punjab. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, 20-year-old Hassan and his family migrated to Pakistan and suffered severe financial hardships.

Mehdi initially started working in Chichawatni, in a bicycle shop. He later became a car and diesel tractor mechanic. Despite the financial hardships, he kept up the routine of practice on a daily basis.

Singing career

In 1957, Mehdi Hassan was given the opportunity to sing on Radio Pakistan, primarily as a thumri singer, which earned him recognition within the musical fraternity. He had a passion for Urdu poetry, and therefore, he began to experiment by singing ghazals on a part-time basis. He cites radio officers Z.A. Bukhari and Rafiq Anwar as additional influences in his progression as a ghazal singer. His first song was "Jis ne mere dil ko dard diya" film Susral in 1962. In 1964 his ghazal for a film Farangi, "Golon mein rang bharay" gave him a major break and he never looked back after that.[7]

Following a severe illness in the late 1980s, Mehdi Hassan stepped down from playback singing. Later due to severity of his illness he completely departed from music.

In 1977, Lata Mangeshkar was so moved by his dulcet vocals during a New Delhi concert that she’s reported to have said, “Aisa lagta hai ke unke gale mein bhagwan bolte hain,” (God sings through his voice).[8] In October 2010, HMV released "Sarhadein" in which probably the first and last duet song Tera Milana featuring Mehdi Hassan and Lata Mangeshkar was released. This song was composed by Hassan himself written by Farhat Shahzad. Hassan recorded it in Pakistan in 2009, and Lata Mangeshkar later heard the track and recorded her part in India in 2010, and later mixed together for a duet. "Tera Milna" was also sung by Madam Madam Noor Jehan with Khan Sahib.

Death

He had been suffering from a serious lung condition for the few years before his death. Mehdi Hasan died at around noon on 13 June 2012 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi after suffering a 12-year-long tenure of lung, chest and urinary tract diseases.[9][10]

Populus Global in association with Musicolor organised the first tribute to shahensha-e-ghazal Mehdi Hassan on 14 July 2012. Ustad Mohan Khan, ganda bandh shishya of the ghazal king paid tribute to his guru.

Musicians, students and personal life

Some of the musicians who are associated with him

Some of his students are:

He had 14 children.[11] Some of his notable sons in the music are:

Awards

Pride of Performance Award Recipient
Country Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Presented by Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Hilal-i-Imtiaz Award Recipient
Country Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Presented by Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Civilian honours

The following civilian honours have been conferred on him.[13][14]

Pakistan

Government of Nepal

Government of India

Nigar Awards

He had been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions: the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz granted to him by Gen Ayub Khan; the Pride of Performance bestowed on him by Gen Ziaul Haq; and the Hilal-i-Imtiaz conferred by Gen Pervez Musharraf. Besides the Nigar Film and Graduate Awards from Pakistan, he was presented the Saigal Award in Jalandhar, India, in 1979, whereas the Gorkha Dakshina Bahu Award was given to him in Nepal in 1983. Recently, he travelled to Dubai to receive yet another award

Albums

Some of his albums are:

Ghazals

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gupta, Om (2006). Encyclopaedia of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Delhi: Isha Books. p. 180. ISBN 8182053897.
  2. ↑ http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1864132/Mehdi-Hassan
  3. ↑ http://www.ndtv.com/article/people/who-was-mehdi-hassan-230903
  4. ↑ http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/music/bollywood-remembers-immortal-mehdi-hassan/article1-871986.aspx
  5. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/393139/mehdi-hassan-khan-a-sun-amongst-the-stars/
  6. ↑ http://whoiswhoinkarachi.blogspot.in/2009/12/mehdi-hassan.html
  7. ↑ http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-54110-Mehdi-Hassan-biography-
  8. ↑ http://idiva.com/news-entertainment/mehdi-hassan-the-master-of-melodies/14792
  9. ↑ King of ghazal Mehdi Hasan passes away , vsocio.com, 13 June 2012
  10. ↑ Kindgom of Ghazals loses its King, Efi-news.com
  11. ↑ "Life of Mehdi Hassan". Mehi Hassan.com. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  12. ↑ "Life of Mehdi Hassan". Mehi Hassan.com. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "Mehdi Hassan- A legend passes away". Dawn. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  14. ↑ "Mehdi Hassan passes away". Geo TV. Retrieved 14 August 2012.

External links

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